Palatable arginine compounds and uses thereof for cardiovascular health

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a compound having the structure (I): and acceptable salts, polypeptides, and pro-forms thereof, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of: (a) substituted glycerols; wherein n is an integer from 1 to 2; (b) vitamins; wherein n is 1; (c) sterols; wherein n is 1; (d) stanols; wherein n is 1; and (e) C6-C32 alkyl; and (f) C6-C32 alkenyl; wherein n is 1. The present invention is further directed to compositions and kits comprising these compounds as well as methods of using the compounds. The compounds, compositions, kits, and methods herein are useful for providing general health benefits to the consumer, particularly cardiovascular benefits, anti-menopausal benefits and/or treating sexual dysfunction (particularly, erectile dysfunction). Most particularly, the compounds, compositions, kits, and methods herein are useful for providing cardiovascular benefits, including lowering cholesterol in the consumer, treating, preventing, and/or inhibiting heart disease (e.g., atherosclerosis, restenosis, thrombosis) and, for example, treating other conditions such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, poor circulation,and complications associated with diabetes.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A composition comprising: 
       (a) a compound having the structure:                    
       or salts, polypeptides, and pro-forms thereof, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of: 
       (1) sterols; wherein n is 1;  
       (2) stanols; wherein n is 1; and  
       (b) at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of vitamins and minerals, wherein the composition is a beverage composition which exhibits a pH of less than about 5 when the beverage composition is constituted with aqueous fluid.  
     
     
       2. A composition according to  claim 1  further comprising water. 
     
     
       3. A composition according to  claim 2  further comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting or fruit juice, tea solids, milk solids, fruit flavors, botanical flavors, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       4. A composition according to  claim 3  wherein at least one of the nutrients is selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorous, niacin, thiamin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, iodine, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B 2 , vitamin B 3 , vitamin B 6 , vitamin B 12 , vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K. 
     
     
       5. A composition according to  claim 4  at least one of the nutrients is vitamin C. 
     
     
       6. A kit comprising a composition according to  claim 1  and information that the kit provides one or benefits selected from the group consisting of cardiovascular benefits and organoleptic benefits. 
     
     
       7. A kit according to  claim 6  where at least one benefit is a cardiovascular benefit.